Married couple to be only actors in upcoming play

Wednesday

Jun 18, 2014 at 8:51 AM

The cast features two people – the Kloppenborgs.

Rebecca Haines

The cast features two people – the Kloppenborgs.For Stone's Throw Dinner Theatre's next production, “Jump, I'll Catch You,” David and Melanie Kloppenborg are the only actors to be on the stage. In this two-person script of comedy, David will portray Bennie, a man who lost his family in a car crash; and Melanie will play Merriam, a neurotic who once attempted suicide. “It's a neat play with a good character study,” David said. “Theater allows you to become a different person – see different sides of your personality and do things you wouldn't necessarily do or say … I can't believe I'm going to be dancing.”In a scene David says “he's still working on,” his character goes a little crazy to jazz music. Though the play poses a challenge to the local talent, it's one they look forward to as experienced actors.“Melanie is trained where I just have on-the-job training,” David said. “She has an amazing voice; she once sang at Carnegie Hall – We met on the stage.”Through participation in theater in Mt. Vernon, a friendship grew into something more. This October, the Kloppenborgs will be married for two years. Now, they share a love for acting together, and it shows. Director for the upcoming play, Neal Ruggeberg, said in his 10 years of directing the Kloppenborgs are some of the best to work with.“They're great,” he said. “They're professional and dedicated to putting on a great performance. They're the kind of people that no matter if it's 20 people or 300 people in the audience, they're going to take the same pride in what they're doing.”David, originally from Iowa, has lived in Mt. Vernon since 2002. Melanie, a native of New Jersey, has lived in Mt. Vernon since 2006. When they're not working or reading lines for the play, they're gardening.Performances will be held June 20-22 and June 27-29. Fridays and Saturdays, doors open at 6 p.m., and dinner is at 6:30 p.m. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Sunday performances, doors open at 12:30 p.m., and the dinner is at 1 p.m., with show beginning at 2 p.m. The theater is located at 2466 W. Old Route 66 Blvd., and may be reached at 358-9665.